Held every year at Silverstone, the iconic British racing circuit, the IMechE Formula Student event is an engineering challenge designed to cultivate the next generation of elite engineers.
Students are tasked with designing and constructing a race car from the ground up and then testing their engineering and business acumen through various challenges, including tests for chassis, noise, and brakes.
Morson Projects proudly sponsors the team as part of our STEM Foundation programme, which aims to expand the talent pool for STEM careers by promoting participation and creating educational and training pathways. Part of this includes investment in the Maker Space, a campus facility that features state-of-the-art engineering, design and manufacturing technology that was used by the students for parts of their build.
The Salford Racing team of 2024 not only cleared all scrutineering challenges for the first time, but also successfully competed in the endurance race, a 22km test of the cars’ reliability and overall performance. The final stage, completed by two drivers, earned the team an impressive 8th place finish, outpacing all other universities in the North West, such as the University of Central Lancashire, the University of Manchester, and the University of Bolton.
This achievement marks the team’s best performance to date (46th in 2023, 31st in 2022, and 58th in 2019). In 2023, the team couldn’t pass the noise test due to an engine issue that necessitated a rushed rebuild, resulting in insufficient time. This year, however, they completed the build 48 hours ahead of their 2023 schedule, avoiding similar setbacks.
The car features a single-cylinder engine and a space-frame chassis constructed from steel tubes. The students purchase 6-meter lengths of steel tubing, laser cut and weld them into their design. Once assembled, the car undergoes several scrutineering challenges to evaluate its overall quality. Design judging requires students to explain their engineering choices, while cost and manufacturing assessments evaluate their understanding of real-world production implications, such as component costs and manufacturing processes.
Scrutineering Challenges
Before the engine can be started and the car moved, the team must demonstrate to motorsport safety experts and IMechE scrutineering volunteers that it is safe. Technical scrutineering involves a detailed checklist to ensure compliance with the 190-page Formula Student rulebook and general engineering practices. Safety checks include ensuring drivers can exit the car within 5 seconds from a fully strapped position, with both feet on the ground, and verifying that safety equipment is current and undamaged.
Chassis checks ensure the car’s structure matches the detailed design submitted for review, ensuring driver safety in the event of a crash. Tilt tests evaluate the car’s center of gravity and fluid containment, while noise tests ensure the car meets maximum noise levels at specified RPMs. Brake tests assess the car’s braking efficiency.
After passing scrutineering, the car is tested on a custom track at Copse corner on the Silverstone circuit. The endurance race tests the car’s reliability and speed over 25 laps, determining the final competition ranking.
Having never previously passed all scrutineering stages, the Salford Racing team made their track debut and completed the endurance race successfully, finishing in the top 10 globally.
Andy Hassall, Associate Director shared:
“The IMechE Formula Student program is essential for aspiring engineers as it provides them with real-world experience in designing, building, and racing a competitive vehicle. This hands-on learning opportunity challenges students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, teaching them valuable problem-solving and teamwork skills that are crucial for success in the industry.
“Salford Racing Formula Student’s dream became a reality as they finally made it onto track at Silverstone. Amazing testimony to team for their hard work and dedication!
“Morson Projects have supported the Salford Racing’s Formula student team for over 4 years. We have seen real progress year-on-year culminating in this year’s track success. I’m proud of the support the wider Morson Projects team has given to the team. They have spared their own time to mentor the team on design, composites, analysis, project management. A special mention should go to Chris, Jon, Graham, Mike and the rest of the Morson Projects engineers for their valuable input and support.”
Chris Summers, Head of Engineering Delivery added:
“Programs like Formula Student, which challenge participants to engage in multi disciplinary teams including engineering, media business and finance…develop teamwork, communication and compromise.
“This is the closest reproduction of the environment they will find once they enter engineering teams in industry.
“Over the period of my involvement through Morson Projects, this experience of collaboration, working to budgets and to tight deadlines has produced some of the best graduate candidates we have ever seen.”
Dr Maria Stukoff, Director of the Morson Maker Space at the University of Salford, commented:
“I’m just proud as punch of the team for making the track for the first time ever. Last year’s team had real battles on their hands, having to work through the night to even get through to scrutineering but ran out of time. But the 2023 team, some of whom form part of the 2024 cohort, was able to pass on their experience nad learning onto this years team, which really showcases how successful it is when students have that longevity to pass on what they learn to the next generation.
“I see students come into first year and join Saldord Racing and go all the way through to graduate, there’s so much personal learning that goes on. Not only have they learned teamwork and negotiation skills, but the tenacity and that sense of resilience for when things don’t go right. They grow with all of those ‘smart skills’.”
We’re working to pave pathways into STEM for all through funding, engagement and training. Find out more about the Morson STEM Foundation here.